count on
Definition
- Verb (transitive):
- To rely on or depend on someone or something: To trust that someone will do something or that something will happen as expected.
- To judge to be probable; to expect or anticipate: To consider something as likely to happen or be true.
Usage
- The verb "count on" is used with an object (a person, a thing, or a gerund). It expresses trust in a future outcome or in someone's actions.
- Common structures: "count on [someone/something]" or "count on [someone] to [do something]".
Examples
- Relying on a person:
- You can count on me to be there on time. (You can depend on me.)
- We are counting on your support for the project. (We are relying on your support.)
- Expecting a thing or outcome:
- Don't count on good weather for the picnic. (Don't assume the weather will be good.)
- He counted on receiving a promotion this year. (He expected it to happen.)
Advanced Usage
- "Count on it": A strong, emphatic way to say something is certain or guaranteed.
- Will you help me move? You can count on it! (I will definitely help.)
- "Count on someone/something for something": To depend on someone or something to provide a specific thing.
- We count on our team for innovative ideas. (We rely on our team to provide ideas.)
Variants and Related Words
- Depend on/upon (verb): To be controlled or determined by; to need for support. (Very close synonym).
- Rely on/upon (verb): To have confidence in; to trust.
- Bank on (verb, informal): To base one's hopes on; to count on.
- I'm banking on you to finish the report.
Synonyms
- Depend on
- Rely on
- Trust in
- Expect
- Anticipate
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Count in: To include someone in a plan or activity.
- Please count me in for the dinner party.
- Count out: To exclude someone from a plan or activity; or to count things one by one.
- You can count me out of this risky scheme. (Exclude me.)
Related Idioms
- You can count on the fingers of one hand: Used to emphasize that something is very rare.
- People I trust that much? You can count them on the fingers of one hand.
- Count your blessings: To be grateful for the good things you have.
- Even when times are hard, it's important to count your blessings. (Note: This idiom uses "count" as the main verb, not the phrasal verb "count on").
Verb
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judge to be probable
